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SKREYN’S REGISTER:
THE BONDS OF MAGIC
Vol. 1 CABAL
A Character Book by Sean K Reynolds
Requires use of the Dungeons & Dragons® Third Edition Core Books, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
This book utilizes updated material from the v. 3.5 revision.

Additional Credits
Editing and Production: Sue Weinlein Cook
Cover Illustration: Lars Grant-West
Interior Illustrations: Toren “MacBin” Atkinson
Proofreading: Mark Ashton
Creative Director: Monte Cook
Art Director: Sue Weinlein Cook
Cover and Interior Page Design: Peter Whitley
Playtesters: Arthur Borko, Steven Domkowski, and Matt Locke
Special Thanks: Monte and Sue Cook, for all of their support

For supplemental material, visit Monte Cook’s Website: <www.montecook.com>


And for even more cool stuff, visit Sean K Reynolds’ Website: <www.seankreynolds.com>

“d20 System” and the “d20 System” logo are Trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast and are used according to the terms of
the d20 System License version 5.0. A copy of this License can be found at < www.wizards.com/d20 >. Dungeons & Dragons® and
Wizards of the Coast® are Registered Trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, and are used with Permission. Eldritch Might,
Malhavoc, and the Malhavoc Press logo are trademarks owned by Monte J. Cook. Sword & Sorcery and the Sword & Sorcery logo
are trademarks of White Wolf Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. The mention of or reference to any company or product in these
pages is not a challenge to the trademark or copyright concerned. All other content is ©2002–2004 Sean K Reynolds. This edition of Skreyn’s
Register: The Bonds of Magic, Vol. 1: Cabal is produced under version 1.0a, 4.0, and/or draft versions of the Open Game License, the d20 System
Trademark Logo Guide, and the System Reference Document by permission of Wizards of the Coast. Subsequent versions of this product will incorporate
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Designation of Product Identity: The following items are hereby designated as Product Identity in accordance with Section 1(e) of the Open
Game License, version 1.0a: Any and all Malhavoc Press logos and identifying marks and trade dress, such as all Malhavoc Press product and
product line names including but not limited to The Book of Eldritch Might, Book of Eldritch Might II: Songs and Souls of Power, If Thoughts Could
Kill, Skreyn’s Register, The Bonds of Magic, Anger of Angels, any specific characters, monsters, creatures, and places; capitalized names and
names of places, artifacts, characters, countries, creatures, geographic locations, gods, historic events, magic items, organizations, spells, and
abilities; any and all stories, storylines, histories, plots, thematic elements, and dialogue; and all artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, illustra-
tions, maps, and cartography, likenesses, poses, logos, or graphic designs, except such elements that already appear in final or draft versions of
the d20 System Reference Document or as Open Game Content below and are already Open Game Content by virtue of appearing there. The
above Product Identity is not Open Game Content.
Designation of Open Game Content: Subject to the Product Identity designation above, the following portions of The Bonds of Magic, Vol. 1:
Cabal are designated as Open Game Content: the name and statistics for each character as well as each character’s Personality, Uses, and Tactics
sections; the statistics and descriptions for the feats, items, and spells that appear in the Appendix; and anything else contained herein which is
already Open Game Content by virtue of appearing in the System Reference Document or some other Open Game Content source.
Some portions of this book which are Open Game Content originate from the System Reference Document and are ©1999, 2000, and 2001
Wizards of the Coast, Inc. The remainder of these Open Game Content portions of this book are hereby added to Open Game Content and if so used,
should bear the COPYRIGHT NOTICE “Skreyn’s Register: The Bonds of Magic, Vol. 1: Cabal. ©2002–2004 Sean K Reynolds.” This material is protected
under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction, retransmission, or unauthorized use of the artwork or non-Open Game
Content herein is prohibited without express written permission from Monte Cook or Sean K Reynolds, except for purposes of review or use of Open
Game Content consistent with the Open Game License. The original purchaser may print or photocopy copies for his or her own personal use only.
This document is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places, or events is purely coincidental.

Check out Sword & Sorcery online at <www.swordsorcery.com>


Skreyn’s Register: The Bonds of Magic

The Characters
One of the most basic appeals of fantasy gaming is magic. With the release of the new edition of the most popular fantasy
roleplaying game, not only is there an entirely new sort of magic-user available for play, but spellcasters of all kinds can
break out of the archetypical “robes and pointy hat” model. Mages can wear armor. Mages can sneak. Mages can create
magic items in their spare time.

he purpose of this book is to provide instantly usable characters, but because PCs usually have more gear than

T spellcaster characters for the busy DM. Of all charac-


ters, spellcasters require the most work to create and
flesh out, simply because they have so many spell options
NPCs, each character’s entry features a list of additional gear
he or she should have, or upgrades to the existing gear (such
as increasing a cloak of resistance +2 to a cloak of resistance
available to them. In this book, you have 25 ready-to-go +3). Be sure to note the effects these changes have on the
arcanists of many levels. Use them as cohorts for player char- character’s stat block.
acters (PCs). Use the low-level ones as “boss” villains for The characters all use the default array of ability scores
newer adventurers. Use the more powerful ones as adver- (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) modified by race and template. The listed
saries, mentors, or agents of greater forces. If someone join- hit points for the characters are exactly average; if used as a
ing your campaign needs a character to play right now, these PC, the character should get maximum hit points at 1st level,
characters work for that, too. Being a DM is fun, so anything and the player should roll the remaining Hit Dice. Each
that makes your work easier lets you focus on the fun. character’s equivalent level, unless otherwise noted, is equal
All game material and descriptions in this character book to that character’s class level.
are Open Gaming These characters not only feature unique stats and back-
About the Author Content and are called ground information, but each one also has at least one new
Sean K Reynolds was born in a coastal town out as such on the title magic item, feat, or spell. You can find the complete stats and
in southern California. A professional game
designer since 1998, he has worked on role-
page. (For full details, descriptions for these additions—11 new spells, 17 magic
playing game products for Wizards of the please turn to the Legal items, and one feat—in the Appendix starting on page 28.
Coast, Malhavoc Press, and other game com-
panies. He spends his free time reading,
Appendix.) Designing Some traditional items appear in Cabal in variant forms. For
painting miniatures, and writing two- to three- them all to be open makes example, Jaurdaan the lich has a necklace of mind shielding. It
sentence biographies. He has also written The
Bonds of Magic, Vol. 2: The Faithful and Anger
it easier for everyone to works exactly like a ring of mind shielding, except that it uses a
of Angels for Malhavoc Press. Read more use them in their games necklace space instead of a ring space.
about him at <www.seankreynolds.com>.
and products, and that’s None of these characters has abilities based on alignment
About the Illustrators really the point of the (except for Yewlanavae the bard, who cannot be lawful), so
Cover artist Lars Grant-West is a New York City
Skreyn’s Register series: to you can change their alignments without altering their abili-
native currently living in rural Rhode Island provide characters that ties. In fact, with the exception of the undead, any of these
with his wife and dogs. He got his BFA from the
School of Visual Arts in 1990. After a thankfully
everyone can use, in as characters could be good instead of neutral or evil. If you
short-lived career as a fuzzy green skating many ways as possible. want to use them as PCs, feel free to make this change. Also
dinosaur, he got a job designing and building
animal exhibits at a zoo in Providence. Now the
Look for this book’s to help in adapting the characters to your game’s back-
zoo’s art director, he also maintains a busy companion volume, The ground, Cabal specifically leaves out geographic details and
freelance illustration workload.
Faithful, on sale now. It similar particulars.
Toren “MacBin” Atkinson is known by night
as the lead singer of the Cthulhu rock band,
contains 25 new clerics, In this new edition of Cabal we have updated the charac-
The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, but by rangers, druids, and pal- ter stat material to conform to the v. 3.5 revision of the core
day he collects Saturday morning cartoons
and draws monsters for money. You've seen
adins in the same format rules. Everything else in the book has stayed the same—if
his work in the award-winning books Delta as the sorcerers, bards, and you already have the previous edition of Cabal, this update
Green and Death in Freeport. His illustrations
also appear in If Thoughts Could Kill and
wizards presented here. does not invalidate your version.
Book of Eldritch Might II: Songs and Souls of All the characters listed Throughout this book, a dagger (†) is used to refer to a
Power. He recently wrote and illustrated the
Spaceship Zero roleplaying game.
alphabetically in this book new feat, magic item, or spell found in the Appendix. A dou-
may be used “as-is” as ble dagger (‡) indicates material from The Book of Eldritch
Malhavoc Press nonplayer characters Might. Two of them (‡‡) designates a spell from the Book of
Malhavoc Press is game designer Monte (NPCs), whether as allies, Eldritch Might II: Songs & Souls of Power. Otherwise, all refer-
Cook’s d20 System imprint devoted to the cohorts, or enemies of ences to spells, feats, and other rules are from the three Core
publication of unusual magic, monsters, and
evocative game elements that go beyond your adventuring party. Rulebooks: the Player’s Handbook, the DMG, and the MM.
traditional fantasy. Malhavoc Press products They can be used as player
exhibit the mastery of the d20 System rules
that only one of its original designers can
offer. Current titles are available to purchase
in either print or electronic (PDF) format at
<www.montecook.com>.
Vol. 1: Cabal
3
Antat Var Unfortunately, this status went to his head, and Antat began
to annoy lesser members of the house with his strutting and
Antat Var: Male dark elf Sor7; CR 8, Equiv. Lvl. 9; Medium claims for personal space and luxuries. Antat has forgotten
humanoid (elf); HD 7d4; hp 17; Init +2; Speed 30 feet; that in his city, he is but a male, and a commoner at that. As
AC 16 (touch 12, flat-footed 14); Base Attack +3; Grapple +3; such, he has no rights in the eyes of the females. Antat is
Attack/Full Attack +3 or +4 melee (1d6, quarterstaff or about a step and a half away from seriously angering the lead-
1d4/19–20, masterwork dagger); or +5 ranged (1d4/19–20, ers of his house, which may result in his death. If he is lucky,
hand crossbow); SQ Diminutive monstrous spider famil- he may find himself only exiled—he might even escape before
iar, dark elf traits, empathic link with familiar, share spells he is punished.
with familiar, touch spells (via familiar); AL CE; SV Fort +4,
Ref +8, Will +6; Str 10, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 18 Personality
Skills and Feats: Concentration +5, Knowledge (arcana) +6, Antat feels confident and secure in his niche of power.
Knowledge (geography) +5, Knowledge (history) +5, Considered particularly attractive by his people’s standards,
Knowledge (planes) +5, Listen +3, Search +4, Spellcraft +8, he has enjoyed liaisons with many important dark elves,
Spot +3; Alertness, Craft Wondrous Item, Exotic Weapon which has only helped feed his ego. He does not appreciate
ProficiencyB (hand crossbow), Lightning Reflexes, Spell people questioning his statements or the results of his
Penetration magic. Like most dark elves, he has a cruel streak and is not
Diminutive Monstrous Spider Familiar Abilities: Darkvision, above purchasing a slave upon whom to test a new poison
poisonous bite (DC 11, 1 Dex/1 Dex) his contacts have brought him. He dislikes open violence,
Dark Elf Traits: Immune to magic sleep spells and effects; particularly when directed at him, and he is likely to run
+2 racial bonus on saves against enchantment spells or away if he thinks he could come to serious harm.
effects; darkvision 120 feet; entitled to a Search check
when within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door as though Uses
actively looking for it; SR 18; +2 racial bonus on Will saves Outside of a dark elf city, Antat might wander in search of a
against spells or spell-like abilities; spell-like abilities particular item, aided by a small force of dark elf warriors. He
(1/day—dancing lights, darkness, and faerie fire, caster level can be used as a sage, magic item reseller, or interrogator, for
7th); light blindness (blinded for 1 round by abrupt expo- his sorcery allows him to unravel mysterious aspects of
sure to bright light, dazzled while operating in bright objects and people. As a player character, he can be in exile
light); +2 racial bonus on Listen, Spot, and Search checks or fleeing the wrath of dark elf females.
(already figured into the statistics above)
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/7/7/5; base DC = 14 + spell level): Tactics
0—detect magic, detect poison, light, mage hand, open/close, Antat prefers to remain
read magic, resistance; 1st—creature loresight‡‡, identify, mage invisible during combat
armor, magic missile, object loresight‡‡; 2nd—invisibility, or at least behind sever-
locate object, protection from arrows; 3rd—clairaudience/ al strong fighters and
clairvoyance, sleet storm backed up by a protec-
Gear: Hand crossbow, 10 bolts, quarterstaff, bracers of armor tion from arrows spell.
+3, amulet of natural armor +1, cloak of resistance +2, gem of When he needs to
charisma +2 (as cloak, uses headband location), blade ring†, attack he does so at a
potion of cure moderate wounds, 448 gp distance, using his
PC Gear: Ring of protection +3; upgrade: amulet to +2 hand crossbow or
magic missile spells
ntat is a male dark elf raised in a matriarchal society. to directly assail

A Born a commoner but gifted with natural arcane


magic, he trained in his city’s academy and after gradu-
ation was quickly snapped up to serve a noble house that
foes. He might
use darkness
and sleet storm
dealt with large numbers of magic items and informants from to disrupt his
the surface world. He gained much status there thanks to his foes and make
abilities. When a rival wiped out that family, Antat escaped it easier for his
death and found employment with the conquering house, allies to elimi-
whose leaders recognized his value in terms of his knowledge nate them.
and power and for his contacts with the surface world.
4 Skreyn’s Register: The Bonds of Magic

Brul the Tongue doesn’t belong or isn’t pulling his weight (as a PC, he would do
the same thing to anyone who questioned his usefulness to
Brul the Tongue: Male orc Sor5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (orc); the party). He has grown arrogant, for he is the most powerful
HD 5d4; hp 12; Init +5; Speed 30 feet; AC 14 (touch 11, flat- orc mage he has ever heard of and expects his name to become
footed 13); Base Attack +2; Grapple +3; Attack/Full Attack legend someday—perhaps after he has fathered a few strong
+2 melee (1d6+1/×3, halfspear); or +2 ranged (1d6+1, sorcerer sons to carry on his legacy. Among orcs and half-orcs
javelin); SQ Darkvision, light sensitivity (dazzled in bright he seems patient and deliberate, taking as much time as need-
light), empathic link with familiar, raven familiar, share ed to explain concepts to his slow-witted tribemates. Among
spells with familiar, touch spells (via familiar); AL NE; humans he acts coolly indifferent, recognizing their power but
SV Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +4; Str 12, Dex 13, Con 10, Int 12, not quite trusting them. He shares the typical orc hatred of
Wis 10, Cha 14 elves and half-elves, not out of any personal experience but
Skills and Feats: Appraise +4, Craft (alchemy) +5, Craft (weapon- due to stereotypical tribal prejudice; the right circumstances
smithing) +8, Knowledge (arcana) +4, Listen +2, Speak might sway him from this view. Likewise, he is very dominant
Language (Common), Spellcraft +7, Spot +3; Alertness, toward females and expects their subservience, but a strong
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Improved Initiative female presence could change his stance.
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/7/5; base DC = 12 + spell level; 15
percent chance of spell failure when using shield): 0— Uses
arcane mark, detect magic, detect poison, mage hand, mending, Brul makes for a good behind-the-scenes manipulator and
read magic; 1st—cause fear, charm person, expeditious retreat, advisor in a tribe. Raiding orcs with a few acidic arrows each
mage armor; 2nd—invisibility, Mel’s acid arrow are a new twist on an old idea; Brul would be found in the
Gear: +1 large steel shield, halfspear, javelins (3), +1 acidic arrows orcs’ lair or observing the raid from a nearby position under
(25), acid salve†, potions of cure light wounds, levitate, cat’s grace, cover of invisibility or with his familiar. Characters also might
and sneaking; flasks of acid (3), 367 gp encounter him alone on another period of wandering, or as
PC Gear: Ring of protection +1, scroll of stinking cloud a negotiator between his tribe and a nearby human settle-
ment. As a player character, Brul can be an outcast from his
orn of a half-orc tribal chieftain, Brul favored his tribe, on a quest for a spell to increase his own power, or in

B human grandparent enough to pull him above the


brutish level of his peers. Although he was never as
strong as the other orcs, his own magic and his father’s influ-
search of some great magic to oust a rival.

Tactics
ence was enough to protect him until he reached adulthood. Brul prefers to stay out of melee, but when he has to fight up
He wandered as a nomad in the wildlands near his tribe’s ter- close he always casts mage armor and expeditious retreat. It’s
ritory for a time. He visited some of the less reputable human not that he is afraid of fighting; he knows he is more effec-
cities on the edge of the human lands, where he saw the ben- tive supporting
efits and weaknesses of human civilization. the tribe’s war-
Brul returned to his tribe when he heard his father had riors and bar-
been killed in a fight for dominance. Knowing his father’s barians. At a
successor might not want a mage in the tribe, he wisely distance, he
brought a human-forged greataxe he had enhanced with prefers his acid
magic and gave it to the new chief. This gift showed the new arrow spell to
chief respect and secured Brul’s position in the tribe—one throwing
equivalent to that of the shaman. Since that time, Brul has javelins because
used his magic to provide magic weapons for his tribe, and of the greater
they have become famous in the nearby lands for their use of range. He
the bow and acid-dripping arrows. He doesn’t often join enjoys using
these raids, but demands a share of their loot, hoping that it charm person to
may contain new magic he can study. He once encountered convince oppo-
Leg-Breaker Gaush (see page 14) during a big battle and was nents to protect
quite impressed with the bugbear’s magic. him in a fight,
and feels safest
Personality with a big orc
Brul considers himself an integral part of his tribe and quickly barbarian in
retaliates against any orc (or stranger) who suggests that he front of him.
Vol. 1: Cabal
5
Chaz Zemir stoneskin), fang bracelet†, masterwork manacles with good
lock, ring of mind shielding, scroll of displacement, wand of
Chaz Zemir: Male dark elf Enc10; CR 11; Equiv. Lvl. 12; Medium arcane lock (11 charges), wand of detect thoughts (20
humanoid (elf); HD 10d4; hp 25; Init +1; Speed 30 feet; charges), wand of dispel magic
AC 13 (touch 11, flat-footed 12); Base Attack +5; Grapple (6 charges), wand of unseen
+4; Attack/Full Attack +4 melee (by spell, touch spell) or servant (40 charges), 615 gp
+5 melee (1d4–1/19–20, masterwork dagger) or +6 ranged PC Gear: Gloves of dexterity +2,
(1d4/19–20, hand crossbow); SQ Dark elf traits, prohibit- iron bands of Birallo, pearl
ed schools (evocation, abjuration); AL NE; SV Fort +5, Ref +6, of power (1st), ring of pro-
Will +10; Str 8, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 13, Cha 14 tection +2; upgrades:
Skills and Feats: Bluff +6, Diplomacy +6, Gather Information amulet to +3, cloak to +4
+4, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (arcana) +9, Knowledge
(history) +8, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge (nobility he second
and royalty) +8, Listen +3, Profession (torturer) +7, Search
+5, Spellcraft +7, Spot +3; Combat Casting, Combat
Expertise, Craft Wand, Exotic Weapon ProficiencyB (hand
T son of a dark
elf noble
house in a city less
crossbow), Extend Spell, Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus matriarchal than
(enchantment), Spell Penetration Anat’s (see page 3),
Dark Elf Traits: Immune to magic sleep spells and effects; +2 Chaz graduated from
racial bonus on saves against enchantment spells or the academy early
effects; darkvision 120 feet; entitled to a Search check and convinced his
when within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door as though family to lend him a
actively looking for it; SR 21; +2 racial bonus on Will saves squad of warriors
against spells or spell-like abilities; spell-like abilities to search the near-
(1/day—dancing lights, darkness, and faerie fire at caster level by reaches of the
10th); light blindness (blinded for 1 round by abrupt expo- deep caverns to
sure to bright light, dazzled while operating in bright find monsters he could enslave with his magic. He returned
light); +2 racial bonus on Listen, Spot, and Search checks with a strange menagerie of terrible creatures that now
(already figured into the statistics above) guard his family’s compound. He acts as the house torturer
Wizard Spells Prepared: (5/6/6/5/4/3; base DC = 13 + spell and slavemaster and is busy replacing many torture instru-
level, 14 + spell level for enchantment): 0—arcane mark, ments after a bizarre prank perpetrated on his house (see
detect magic, detect poison, mage hand, read magic; 1st—cause page 22).
fear, charm person (2), comprehend languages, mage armor;
2nd—blindness/deafness (2), invisibility (2), summon swarm, Personality
Tash’s hideous laughter; 3rd—fly, hold person (2), suggestion, A powerful noble, Chaz considers himself superior to all non-
vampiric touch; 4th—charm monster, dimension door, phan- dark elves. He likes to present a pleasant and humble demeanor
tasmal killer, stoneskin; 5th—cloudkill, dominate person (2) until he needs to extricate information from a subject.
Spellbook: 0—arcane mark, daze, detect magic, detect poison, dis-
rupt undead, ghost sound, mage hand, mending, open/close, Uses
prestidigitation, ray of frost, read magic; 1st—cause fear, charm Chaz is suitable for use in any band of powerful dark elves
person, comprehend languages, hypnotism, mage armor, sleep, and makes a good leader figure for a cell of dark elf spies. He
unseen servant; 2nd—blindness/deafness, daze monster, detect might capture heroes when it serves the plot to leave them
thoughts, invisibility, Mel’s acid arrow, summon swarm, Tash’s alive, and also might act as their interrogator (giving them a
hideous laughter; 3rd—deep slumber, fly, displacement, hold strong reason to want to hunt him down later). As a player
person, rage, suggestion, vampiric touch; 4th—charm monster, character, he can be fleeing the destruction of his house or
dimension door, enervation, lesser geas, phantasmal killer, simply spying on surface folk.
stoneskin; 5th—cloudkill, dominate person, lesser planar bind-
ing, nightmare Tactics
Gear: Masterwork dagger, hand crossbow, hand crossbow Chaz feels that killing an enemy is a waste of a good slave. He
bolts (10), amulet of natural armor +2, cloak of resistance +2, prefers to turn foes to his side with charm person, charm mon-
750 gp worth of diamond dust (spell components for ster, and dominate person, hiding invisibly if those don’t work.
6 Skreyn’s Register: The Bonds of Magic

Dar Halan
Dar Halan: Male halfling Tra7; CR 7; Small humanoid (halfling);
HD 7d4+7; hp 24; Init +4; Speed 20 feet; AC 17 (touch 16,
flat-footed 13); Base Attack +3; Grapple –3; Attack/Full
Attack +3 melee (1d4–2/19–20, masterwork dagger) or +9
ranged (1d4–2/19–20, masterwork dagger); SQ Halfling
traits, prohibited schools (enchantment, illusion); AL N;
SV Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +7; Str 6, Dex 18, Con 13, Int 14,
Wis 12, Cha 10
Skills and Feats: Climb +0, Concentration +7, Hide +10, Jump
+0, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Listen +5, Move Silently +9,
Spellcraft +11, Spot +4; Combat Casting, Craft Wand,
Lightning Reflexes, Scribe Scroll, Vitality Spellsource†
Wizard Spells Prepared: (5/6/5/3/2; base DC = 12 + spell level):
0—disrupt undead, light, mage hand, open/close, ray of frost;
1st—burning hands, expeditious retreat, mage armor, magic
missile, shocking grasp, true strike; 2nd—darkvision, protection
from arrows, rope trick, see invisibility, open slot; 3rd—haste,
keen edge, open slot; 4th—dimension door, fire shield burial to the slain halflings. He later developed an unusual
Spellbook: 0—arcane mark, dancing lights, detect magic, detect magical ability to draw upon his own life force to cast his spells
poison, disrupt undead, flare, light, mage hand, mending, (the Vitality Spellsource† feat, see page 28). This practice caus-
open/close, prestidigitation, ray of frost; 1st—burning hands, es tiny wounds to appear all over his body, reminiscent of the
endure elements, expeditious retreat, mage armor, magic tortures that he refuses to forget, despite advice to the contrary
missile, shocking grasp, true strike; 2nd—darkvision, bear’s from his cousin Fintus, a paladin of the halfling god of vigi-
endurance, locate object, protection from arrows, rope trick, see lance. (His description appears in Vol. 2: The Faithful.)
invisibility; 3rd—dispel magic, greater magic weapon, haste,
keen edge, slow; 4th—dimension door, fire shield Personality
Gear: Masterwork dagger, ring of protection +1, amulet of natu- Dar seems a little obsessive about protecting his friends and
ral armor +1, potion of cure serious wounds, potion of invisibili- extremely hateful of all ogres—he gives no quarter when
ty, potions of lesser restoration (2), wand of bear’s endurance fighting them. When not around ogres, and when his
(7 charges), wand of endure elements (15 charges), wand of friends are in no danger, he acts much like any other
expeditious retreat (19 charges), 108 gp halfling, though he slips into periods of melancholy from
PC Gear: Gloves of dexterity +2, scroll of teleport; upgrades: ring time to time.
to +2, wand of bear’s endurance to 14 charges
Uses
orn of a merchant family, Dar traveled across much Dar makes an excellent leader of a caravan or halfling mili-

B of the known world with one halfling caravan or


another, always willing to lend a hand (magically
speaking) to defend the merchandise when bandits or mon-
tary unit. He also might recruit player characters for an
attack on an ogre stronghold or for a rescue party. You could
use Dar as a villain, assuming some mental derangement
sters raided. One year his caravan was attacked by an elite from his torture and abuse finally surfaces. As a player char-
band of ogre mercenaries that had fallen on hard times and acter, Dar might join up with other heroes just about any-
taken to banditry, and all the halflings were killed or cap- where as long as exploration and reward await.
tured. The ogres tortured and then ate them one by one;
Dar’s punishment was to have his tongue torn out by hot Tactics
tongs. Powerless, he was left to amuse the ogre bandit Dar prefers to use his magic to power himself up for melee
leader—like a jester, but even more put upon. and ranged combat rather than striking directly at an oppo-
He eventually managed to escape and asked his merchant nent with spells. His favorite combination is mage armor,
contacts to loan him the money for a regenerate spell to restore expeditious retreat, haste, greater magic weapon, and keen edge.
his tongue. Once back in service, he led a band of halfling He prepares this set of spells every day, unless he has reason
adventurers to slaughter the mercenaries and give a proper to choose otherwise.
Vol. 1: Cabal
7
Evran Rocksplitter
Evran Rocksplitter: Male gnome Sor10; CR 10; Small humanoid
(gnome); HD 10d4+40; hp 65; Init –1; Speed 20 feet; AC 13
(touch 11, flat-footed 13); Base Attack +5; Grapple +0;
Attack/Full Attack +7 melee (1d6–1/×4, masterwork heavy
pick) or +6 ranged (1d6, sling with +1 sling bullet);
SQ Gnome traits; AL NG; SV Fort +9, Ref +2, Will +8;
Str 8, Dex 8, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 15
Skills and Feats: Concentration +12, Craft (alchemy) +10, Craft
(stoneworking) +10, Hide +3, Knowledge (arcana) +5,
Listen +3, Speak Language (Celestial, Terran), Spellcraft
+8; Combat Casting, Great Fortitude, Martial Weapon
Proficiency (heavy pick), Weapon Focus (heavy pick)
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/7/7/6/5/3; base DC = 12 + spell
level): 0—dancing lights, detect magic, disrupt undead, light,
mending, open/close, ray of frost, read magic, resistance;
1st—burning hands, endure elements, mage armor, spider
climb, unseen servant; 2nd—bull’s strength, darkvision,
invisibility, summon monster II; 3rd—displacement, hold may hold flaws. In the presence of normal and celestial badg-
person, summon monster III; 4th—minor creation, stoneskin; ers (and dire badgers) and creatures from the Earth Elemental
5th—summon monster V Plane he becomes truly animated and happy. Rarely does a day
Gear: Masterwork heavy pick, sling, +1 sling bullets (10), ring go by in which Evran doesn’t summon one for advice on a
of protection +1, amulet of natural armor +2, Evran’s earth- piece of work or simply to talk. He likes to explore old stone
stone†, 231 gp buildings and discuss the skill of the builders, and has made
PC Gear: Bracers of health +2 (as amulet), potions of cat’s grace, many friends among the dwarves by exchanging stonelore and
cure serious wounds, and gaseous form; upgrades: amulet to a few drinks. His closest friend is Regrin, a dwarf cleric of the
+4, heavy pick to +1, sling bullets to +2 god of mining. (He appears in Vol. 2: The Faithful.)

vran discovered at an early age that he had a talent for Uses


E working with stone. When his sorcerer abilities mani-
fested themselves, he used them to repair damaged
stones and to treat other stones for use in art and as tools.
A skilled character, Evran can pop up anywhere as a guide or
guard to other gnomes, as the leader in a quarrying expedi-
tion, or as an expert in the layout of various old dungeons. An
When religious experiences in his local church convinced evil-inclined Evran makes for an arcane spellcaster ally for a
him of a connection between the gnomes, the living rock, group of evil gnomes or earth cultists, particularly when the
and the gnome deities, he set his mind on using his magic to traditional gnome illusionist stereotype becomes insufficient
draw upon those connections. While he has little interest in for the task; in such cases, Evran should speak Abyssal instead
the small details of the gnome faith, he believes his magical of Celestial and summon fiendish moles (using fiendish badg-
gifts come from his race’s gods and points to his ability to er stats) instead of celestial badgers. As a player character,
summon celestial badgers as proof. Evran might seek unique stones, particularly those shaped by
When the local priests need to visit other gnome settle- magic or other powerful forces. He also might be looking to
ments, Evran always volunteers to serve as a guard, and so help other gnomes or trying to find clues to lost stonelore.
he has traveled much. Not coincidentally, his journeys have
given him the opportunity to work with and study stone Tactics
from many parts of the world, increasing his skill and earn- Evran prefers to let summoned creatures do the fighting, favor-
ing him a reputation as a patient and talented artisan. ing celestial badgers (and dire badgers) and Small and Medium
earth elementals. However, he has been known to summon a
Personality xorn to sneak through solid walls and report back on what it
Evran is friendly and open, although he often looks irritated sees. In melee he guards himself with mage armor (and stoneskin,
and anxious to get back to work on a new piece of stone. He is if battling a particularly strong foe) and attacks with burning
patient with his work and with people, willing to go slowly to hands, hold person, and his beloved pick. He might suggest a spell
coax an ideal result rather than forcing a quick solution that to turn everyone invisible to sneak past dangerous creatures.
8 Skreyn’s Register: The Bonds of Magic

Fanatrax kind of demon. Pushed by


draconic desires but tem-
Fanatrax: Male half-dragon (red) human Sor6; CR 8; Eq. Lvl. 9; pered by his humanity,
Medium dragon (augmented human); HD 6d4+12; hp 27; Fanatrax is trying to
Init +6; Speed 30 feet; AC 16 (touch 12, flat-footed 14);Base find a place for himself
Attack +3; Grapple +6; Attack +6 melee (1d4+3, claws), or +7 in the world.
melee (1d8+6/×3, +1 shortspear), or +7 ranged (1d10+2/19–20,
+1 heavy crossbow with masterwork crossbow bolts); Full Personality
Attack +6 melee (1d4+3, 2 claws), +4 melee (1d6+1, bite), or +7 Fanatrax is hotheaded, vain,
melee (1d8+6/×3, +1 shortspear), +5 melee (1d6+1, bite), or +7 and greedy. He loves the taste
ranged (1d10+2/19–20, +1 heavy crossbow with masterwork of meat and disdains crea-
crossbow bolts); SA Breath weapon (6d8 fire, 30-foot tures like elves that prefer
cone, DC 11); SQ Dragon traits; AL CN; SV Fort +6, Ref +4, lighter meals. He likes to
Will +5; Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 15, Wis 10, Cha 18 jump into battle without
Skills and Feats: Balance +4, Climb +7, Concentration +9, giving time for planning
Knowledge (arcana) +6, Knowledge (local) +4, Listen +5, or strategy, confident
Spellcraft +6, Spot +6; Alertness, Great Fortitude, in his physical and
Improved Initiative, Multiattack magical power to pull
Breath Weapon (Su): 1/day, 6d8 fire, 30-foot cone, DC 11 him through any situ-
Dragon Traits: Immune to sleep and paralysis effects; ation. Despite the
darkvision; low-light vision; immune to fire bravado, he wants to be
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/7/6/4; base DC = 14 + spell level): accepted as part of a
0—daze, detect magic, ghost sound, mage hand, mending, ray group as he once was,
of frost, read magic; 1st—Fanatrax’s breathtwist†, feather fall, although his preference is to
mage armor, shocking grasp; 2nd—see invisibility, vivid have the adoration of lesser beings
discharge‡‡; 3rd—lightning bolt rather than an equal partnership. Those who respect him
Gear: +1 shortspear (item image‡, deals +1 damage [included in and do not consider him an outcast are more likely to earn
the above totals]), +1 heavy crossbow (item image‡, deals +1 his friendship and trust.
damage [included in the above totals]), masterwork cross-
bow bolts (50), wand of lightning bolt (21 charges, item Uses
image‡, +2 DC), potions of cure moderate wounds, invisibility, Fanatrax makes a good villain, particularly if you set him up as
and alter self; 602 gp the leader of a cult of sorcerers. As he is immune to fire, having
PC Gear: Ring of protection +2, rope of climbing, wand of keen a volcano as his base of operations suits his draconic heritage
edge (30 charges, item image‡, +2 caster level); upgrade: and makes his lair a dangerous place for visitors. He would
shortspear to +2 make an excellent bodyguard or assassin for an evil organiza-
tion or a servant to an actual red dragon (who may or may not
orn of a red dragon father and a dragon cultist, be his father). As a PC, Fanatrax is a good choice for players

B Fanatrax was seen by his human mother as a


blessing from the gods. Raised by the cult and
pampered his entire life, he believed himself to be the son
who want a character experiencing some conflict over his her-
itage. Fanatrax could easily be the son of a gold dragon instead
of a red, with a LN or LG alignment. This option allows him to
of a divine being. When his sorcery manifested, he sur- remain conflicted though less tainted by innate evil.
prised everyone with its electrical nature, leading to some
speculation that the red dragon had some blue dragon Tactics
blood in him. Fanatrax loves clawing and biting at humanoid creatures,
When he reached adulthood his father was driven off enjoying the taste of blood in his mouth. Against stranger
after a fight with another dragon, and the new arrival creatures he girds himself with mage armor and vivid discharge.
forced out Fanatrax as well (the female didn’t want the Although he lacks the blindsight of true dragons, he can use
other dragon’s spawn in her new lair, although she liked magic to sense invisible things and likes to pretend he doesn’t
the presence of the cultists). Setting out on his own, see invisible creatures until he’s near enough to attack them.
Fanatrax was surprised to find that most people consid- Against undead and other weird monsters that he doesn’t
ered him a freak instead of a divinity. He killed many recognize (or doesn’t want to put his mouth on), he is more
people in fights after they vocally suspected he was some likely to use his ranged spells and breath weapon.
Vol. 1: Cabal
9
Gorin the Untouchable rained in magic by his father, a rather paranoid man

Gorin the Untouchable: Male human Abj7; CR 7; Medium


humanoid (human); HD 7d4+7; hp 24; Init +6; Speed 30
T who also was an abjurer, Gorin fell on hard times in a
decadent city known for its bloodsports. Lacking any
other options, he signed up to compete in an arena and bet
feet; AC 13 (touch 12, flat-footed 11); Base Attack +3; his last remaining gold coin on himself. Bolstered by protec-
Grapple +5; Attack/Full Attack +7 melee (1d6+3, master- tive magic, Gorin earned enough money to pay his debts and
work quarterstaff); SQ Prohibited schools (enchantment, give him a place to stay for a week, and his career as a gladia-
necromancy); AL N; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +5; Str 15, tor began. He soon gained fame and attention, becoming a
Dex 14, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 8 celebrity in short order. The rules of the arena disallow the
Skills and Feats: Balance +4, Concentration +11, Jump +7, use of magic directly on another combatant, so Gorin’s spells
Knowledge (local) +6, Listen +3, Profession (gladiator) +5, were perfectly suited for life as a gladiator. He spent all of his
Spellcraft +5, Spot +3, Tumble +7; Combat Expertise, money acquiring new spells and items to make himself a bet-
Extend Spell, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Scribe ter gladiator, and eventually went into debt with the local
Scroll, Weapon Focus (quarterstaff) thieves’ guild that financed one of his larger purchases.
Wizard Spells Prepared: (5/6/5/3/2; base DC = 12 + spell Only recently having worked his way out of debt again,
level): 0—light, mage hand, mending, ray of frost, resistance; Gorin is ready to leave the life of a gladiator, fearing not the
1st—expeditious retreat, jump, mage armor, protection from ring but the corrupting influences that control it. The bets
evil, shield (2); 2nd—acuminate‡‡, blur, bull’s strength, pro- on the battles of “Gorin the Untouchable” often center
tection from arrows, shatter; 3rd—dispel magic, haste, protec- around whether his foe will manage to hit him, rather than
tion from energy; 4th—dimension door (2), stoneskin on whether he’ll win (he usually does).
Spellbook: 0—arcane mark, dancing lights, detect magic, flare,
ghost sound, light, mage hand, mending, ray of frost, resistance; Personality
1st—expeditious retreat, jump, mage armor, protection from In his private life Gorin is quiet and reserved, careful to not
evil, shield, true strike; 2nd—acuminate‡‡, blur, bull’s strength, let anyone get too close to him—he has been burned many
cat’s grace, protection from arrows, shatter; 3rd—dispel magic, times by so-called friends and lovers whose only interest was
displacement, greater magic weapon, haste, protection from his money and fame. He dresses simply, in contrast to his life
energy; 4th—dimension door, stoneskin in the arena, and prefers to eat and sleep in quiet places
Gear: Masterwork/masterwork quarterstaff, Gorin’s belt†, ring where there is little or no chance of a brawl starting. When
of natural armor +1, potion of cure moderate wounds, 250 gp working, Gorin wears stark red clothes and a kilt of broad
worth of gold dust (for stoneskin), 25 gp leather straps like a wildlands barbarian. Sometimes he
PC Gear: Boots of striding and springing, potion of delay poison, paints his face and skin in garish colors as well. He fights in
Quarl’s feather token (whip), ring of protection +1, a cool and methodical manner, letting his opponent tire
upgrade: quarterstaff to +1 on one end before taking the offensive, but sometimes stepping in to
trip a foe and provide a good show.

Uses
Gorin can be used as a mage-for-hire or an opponent in the
gladiator arena. With a more evil bent he might be a retired
gladiator working for the thieves’ guild to evaluate new pris-
oners’ ability to fight. If the heroes end up in the arena,
Gorin can become a sympathetic ear or help them escape. As
a player character, Gorin might join a famous group of
adventurers as part of a “retirement” deal with the thieves’
guild, or he could be on the run from more debts or angry
criminals who want to punish him for not taking a fall.

Tactics
Gorin is used to studying his opponent and having time to
prepare before a fight. On short notice he casts haste, and
mage armor, then activates one of the powers of his belt
(see page 29), adding more protections as the circum-
stances warrant.
10 Skreyn’s Register: The Bonds of Magic

Handrath Blood-Eye orn of a powerful demon and a human woman in

Handrath Blood-Eye: Male half-fiend


human Sor10; CR 12; Equiv. Lvl. 16;
B the demon’s harem, Handrath grew up an Abysmal
plane under the shadow of his two warlike broth-
ers. His brothers made his life miserable, constantly abus-
Medium outsider (human); ing Handrath for his weakness (compared to them). Only
HD 10d4+30; hp 55; Init +2; Speed with his magic could he earn some respite, either by dis-
30 feet; AC 13 (touch 12, flat-footed guising himself as a more powerful creature in his father’s
11); Base Attack +5; Grapple +6; service or outrunning his brothers at a magically-enhanced
Attack/Full Attack +6 melee speed. As a young adult he was fortunate to be called by a
(1d4+1, claw) or +10 ranged spell cast by a mortal wizard on the Material Plane.
(1d8+2/19–20, +1 light cross- Handrath readily agreed to the wizard’s service in exchange
bow with +1 crossbow bolts); for permission to remain. After he completed the service,
SA Spell-like abilities; he bolted before the wizard could change his mind. In
SQ Bat familiar, secret he developed his own fiend-summoning powers and
empathic link with eventually perfected the spell that would force his brothers
familiar, immune to to come to him and fight his enemies for him. Now he rel-
poison, outsider ishes using the spell at every opportunity, enjoying the
traits (dark- compelled service of his former tormentors.
vision, cannot
be raised or res- Personality
urrected), resist- Handrath is bitter and twisted from years of abuse. He gen-
ances (acid, cold, erally dislikes people in authority, particularly if they seem
electricity, and fire loud and cruel. Sympathy and kind gestures still surprise
20), share spells with famil- him, and he often develops an unnatural attachment to
iar, touch spells (via familiar); people who treat him well. Although he summons evil crea-
AL NE; SV Fort +7, Ref +6, tures, he doesn’t consider himself evil (he acts his alignment
Will +12; Str 12, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 18 in subtle ways he doesn’t entirely realize). In the presence of
Skills and Feats: Bluff +11, Craft (alchemy) +11, Concentration someone clearly inferior to him, Handrath acts haughty and
+16, Knowledge (arcana) +16, Knowledge (the planes) +9, mean. He is the sort of two-faced person who can have a
Listen +9, Move Silently +7, Spellcraft +16, Spot +6; pleasant conversation with a guest after personally beating a
Alertness, Combat Casting, Iron Will, Spell Penetration, clumsy servant black and blue.
Weapon Focus (light crossbow)
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): 1/day—desecrate, unholy blight, Uses
contagion; 3/day—darkness, poison (caster level 10) Handrath can serve as a minion to a more powerful evil con-
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/7/7/7/6/3; base DC = 14 + spell level): jurer or as the leader of a cell of demon-worshiping cultists.
0—detect magic, disrupt undead, flare, ghost sound, light, mage In the latter case he gloats over his power in front of under-
hand, mending, prestidigitation, read magic; 1st—disguise self, lings, but toes the line when his master appears. Given his
expeditious retreat, mage armor, magic missile, mount; hatred of demons, he can become an unusual demonslayer;
2nd—blindness/deafness, invisibility, mirror image, spectral he might hire on to an adventuring party planning to tackle
hand; 3rd—fly, summon monster III, vampiric touch; 4th— demons, as long as it doesn’t involve actually traveling to the
dimensional anchor, scrying; 5th—I summon my brother† lower planes. As a player character, think of Handrath as a
Gear: +1 light crossbow, robe of resistance +1 (as cloak), +1 cross- conjurer tainted by evil or as someone under evil’s influence
bow bolts (5), +2 crossbow bolts (5), +1 frost crossbow bolts but seeking redemption.
(5), +1 holy bolts (5), boots of elvenkind, Handrath’s demon-
ward bracer†, ring of counterspells, wand of hold person (6 Tactics
charges), wand of lightning bolt (28 charges), scrying mirror Handrath prefers to lead with stronger spells and likes
(for the scrying spell), 105 gp summoning his brothers (see page 31) against opponents
PC Gear: +2 morningstar, evil outsider greater slaying arrows (4), they have no chance of defeating, just so he can watch
cloak of Charisma +4, periapt of Wisdom +2, potion of cat’s them die. He is more likely to use his crossbow than to
grace; upgrades: light crossbow to +3, robe to +3 direct attack spells against enemies.
Vol. 1: Cabal
11
Irrin Tol Personality
Irrin has two distinct modes of behavior. When among the
Irrin Tol: Male human Sor11; CR 11; Medium humanoid nobility or outside a military situation he seems a personable
(human); HD 11d4+22; hp 49; Init +7; Speed 30 feet; AC 17 and slightly aloof man with a fondness for noble debutantes,
(touch 15, flat-footed 14); Attack +5; Grapple +4 fine wines, and expensive clothes. He acts polite but conde-
Attack/Full Attack +5 melee (1d6–1/×3, masterwork half- scending toward commonfolk and enjoys quiet subterfuge
spear) or +10 ranged (1d8/19–20, masterwork light cross- among the cultural elite. He doesn’t tolerate backtalk from inferi-
bow with masterwork crossbow bolts); SQ Empathic link ors. When associating with adventurers or military types, he
with familiar, hawk familiar, share spells with familiar, becomes a domineering, belligerent officer accustomed to giving
touch spells (via familiar); AL LN; SV Fort +5, Ref +6, orders that people obey without question. In smaller groups
Will +7; Str 8, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 16 (such as adventuring parties) he seeks to establish a clear hierar-
Skills and Feats: Concentration +10, Diplomacy +5, Knowledge chy. Irrin prefers to occupy the top of that hierarchy himself,
(arcana) +8, Knowledge (history) +2, Knowledge (military of course. In situations where he is not the highest-ranked
tactics) +5, Listen +5, Ride (horse) +6, Spellcraft +10, person present he remains crisp, efficient, and meticulous.
Spot +5*; Alertness, Combat Casting, Enlarge Spell,
Improved Initiative, Spell Focus (evocation) Uses
* Irrin gets a +3 bonus to Spot checks in bright light because of his familiar Irrin can lead any well-structured military band. As he is
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/7/7/7/6/4; base DC = 13 + spell level, lawful neutral, he might work for a noble with a good heart
14 + spell level for evocation): 0—dancing lights, daze, detect or a cruel tyrant; the cause doesn’t matter to him, as long as
magic, detect poison, flare, ghost sound, mage hand, message, he’s employed by nobility in support of law (as opposed to
read magic; 1st—magic missile, mount, shield, sleep, true strike; banditry or the murder of peasants). He can act as the mili-
2nd—darkvision, flaming sphere, protection from arrows, see tary advisor for a noble or the master of defense of a castle. If
invisibility, whispering wind; 3rd—clairaudience/clairvoyance, aged a few years he can serve as a mentor for a player charac-
fireball, Leo’s tiny hut, lightning bolt; 4th—confusion, greater ter fighter, cleric, or military-minded sorcerer. Turn him a
invisibility, wall of ice; 5th—cone of cold, teleport few shades toward evil and he becomes the stereotypical
Gear: Masterwork halfspear, masterwork light crossbow, mas- dour lord oppressing the peasants. As a player character,
terwork crossbow bolts (10), bracers of armor +2, gloves of Irrin might join adventurers seeking to restore a noble to
dexterity +2, shirt of illusory chainmail*, helm of protection +2 power, searching for battle magic, or trying to bring order
(as ring), rope of climbing, potion of cure moderate wounds, and civilization to the outskirts of human communities.
503 gp
PC Gear: Boots of elvenkind, cloak of charisma +4, eyes of the Tactics
eagle; upgrades: bracers to +4, gloves to +4, light cross- Irrin uses his magic shirt (see page 29) to keep from standing
bow to +1 out in a crowd of soldiers, allowing him to surprise opponents
when he starts casting spells. As most of his magic is overt and
he son of an influential noblewoman, Irrin was flashy, he makes use of defensive fortifications, strong allies, or

T schooled in the art of war by generals and military


commanders from several countries and races. Pushed
into the military by his mother, he rose through the ranks as
invisibility to keep himself safe. When directing large numbers
of soldiers and area spells are too risky, he uses his spells to
mark key targets, relay orders, and cut off enemy offensives.
an officer, but he always felt that the true soldiers under him
resented him. So he changed his appearance and re-enlisted
as a common soldier. After two years he earned the respect of
the lower ranks and revealed his true identity. In so doing,
he not only alienated all his former grunts, he incensed the
nobility for consorting with commoners. His mother sug-
gested he leave the country for a few years, and he has since
worked as a mercenary captain for various nobles in nearby
lands. While this served the primary purpose of getting him
out of the eyes and minds of his fellow nobles, it also
allowed him to make contacts with important foreigners and
keep an eye out for potential enemies. He has also been look-
ing for a magic item called the six-sided sphere†; his latest
information says it is in the hands of a lich (see page 21).
12 Skreyn’s Register: The Bonds of Magic

Jaurdaan n unexpected talent born of a tribe of desert nomads,

Jaurdaan: Male human lich Sor11; CR 13; Equiv. Lvl 15; Medium
undead (human); HD 11d12+3; hp 74; Init +1; Speed 30
A Jaurdaan was cast out of his tribe when his magic man-
ifested itself. His people expected him to die alone
among the dunes. Fortunately for him he encountered mem-
feet; AC 21 (touch 12, flat-footed 21); Base Attack +5; bers of a merchant caravan, who gave him water and let him
Grapple +4; Full Attack/Attack +4 melee (1d8+5 negative ride along to their next civilized destination. Amazed at people’s
energy [DC 19, Will half] plus paralysis, touch) or +5 melee acceptance of magic in this new and strange city, Jaurdaan
(1d4–1/19–20, masterwork dagger); SA Fear aura, paralyz- joined a group of young mages selling their services. This
ing touch; SQ Damage reduction 15/bludgeoning and work gave him an opportunity to learn more about magic and
magic, immunities (cold, electricity, polymorph), turn those who practiced it. Unfortunately, though, Jaurdaan
resistance +4, undead traits; AL NE; SV Fort +6, Ref +7, proved an unambitious sorcerer. After several years of work,
Will +13; Str 8, Dex 12, Con —, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 19 his gang of mages was hired under false pretenses by Volgarn,
Skills and Feats: Bluff +14, Concentration +18, a powerful necromancer who wanted to test his lich transfor-
Diplomacy +6, Disguise +8, Gather mation formula before applying it to himself. One by one
Information +7, Hide +9, Intimidate +6, Jaurdaan’s fellows died horribly, but the experiment
Knowledge (arcana) +16, Knowledge worked on him. Flush with new power, he struck out at
(the planes) +4, Listen +11, Move the necromancer and escaped. Now he hides his iden-
Silently +9, Search +10, Sense tity and his nature, afraid to show his true face.
Motive +9, Spellcraft +16,
Spot +11; Alertness, Personality
Craft Wondrous Jaurdaan alternates between hating what he
Item, Empower has become and enjoying the additional
Spell, Iron Will, powers the change gives him. Normally a
Toughness quiet and religious man like the rest of his
Fear Aura (Su): people, he has experienced a crisis of
Creatures of faith and now feels uncertain of his
less than 5 HD place in the world. He clings to things
in a 60-foot that remind him of his normal life, and
radius who look uses his magic to take on his original
at the lich must appearance so he may interact with
succeed at a Will people he knew before the transforma-
save (DC 19) or be affected as though by a fear spell (caster tion. Full of self-loathing, he hates undead and happily slays
level 11th). them when given the chance. Jaurdaan’s evil nature is more a
Paralyzing Touch (Su): Any creature the lich touches must suc- side effect of the negative energy that makes him a lich than
ceed at a Fortitude save (DC 19) or become permanently any inclination of his own alignment.
paralyzed.
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/7/7/7/7/4; base DC = 14 + spell level): Uses
0—dancing lights, daze, detect magic, flare, mage hand, mend- Jaurdaan can serve as a lich adversary for a group of medium-level
ing, open/close, ray of frost, resistance; 1st—charm person, heroes or as a member of a secret organization of undead spell-
feather fall, mage armor, magic missile, spider climb; 2nd— casters. As a protagonist, he might hire adventurers to attack or
alter self, arcane lock, flaming sphere, ghoul touch, magic spy on the necromancer who killed his friends and transformed
mouth; 3rd—dispel magic, fireball, major image, nondetection; him. As a PC, the conflicted Jaurdaan still clings to his old life
4th—charm monster, greater invisibility, lesser globe of invul- rather than give in to the overwhelming call of evil. He can work
nerability; 5th—feeblemind, nightmare with non-evil characters as long as he is careful. Jaurdaan does
Gear: Masterwork dagger, bracers of armor +4, ring of protection not know what his phylactery is, but believes it lies somewhere
+1, cloak of resistance +3, flayed skin mask†, necklace of mind in Volgarn’s tower. He has put off returning to search for it,
shielding (as ring), 100 gp worth of gold dust (material com- fearing the necromancer might capture him again.
ponents for arcane lock), belt of fireballs VI (as necklace), robe
of charisma +2 (as cloak), slippers of spider climbing, 548 gp Tactics
PC Gear: Ring of major fire resistance, rod of cancellation, serpen- Jaurdaan does not fear using strong magic to defeat his foes,
tine owl figurine, wand of lightning bolt (36 charges) (caster especially considering his many spells per day. If attacked in
level 10th); upgrades: bracers to +5, cloak to +5, ring to +5, melee, he uses his lich touch attack. To non-evil allies he explains
robe to +6 it as a spell he invented or the effect of a rare magic item.
Vol. 1: Cabal
13
Kevish next time the dragon went hunting she ran away and never
looked back. Having learned the Common tongue from other
Kevish: Female kobold Sor3; CR 3; Small humanoid (reptilian); slaves, she is trying to fit in on the fringes of human society,
HD 3d4; hp 7; Init +3; Speed 30 feet; AC 15 (touch 14, using her magic to help her adopted “tribe” (no matter how
flat-footed 12); Base Attack +1; Grapple –4; Attack/Full temporary) and establish a place for herself in its hierarchy,
Attack +1 melee (1d6–1/x3, halfspear) or +6 ranged so far with little success.
(1d8/19–20, masterwork light crossbow); SQ Darkvision,
light sensitivity (dazzled in bright light); AL LE; SV Fort +1, Personality
Ref +4, Will +2; Str 8, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 14 Kevish is nervous and has a hard time keeping still. Easily
Skills and Feats: Concentration +6, Craft (trapmaking) +5, startled, she reacts to most surprises by pointing her spear
Hide +7, Knowledge (arcana) +4, Profession (mining) +3, and casting her lesser invisibility spell (see page 32).
Search +3, Speak Language (Common), Spellcraft +6; Growing up a slave in the lair of a dragon, she doesn’t
Dodge, Point Blank Shot understand concepts like “friendship” very well and tends
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/6; base DC = 12 + spell level): 0— to express her wants and needs in terms of power and
dancing lights, detect magic, ghost sound, mage hand, mending; rewards for anyone involved. She stays fiercely loyal to any-
1st—color spray, lesser invisibility†, spider climb one who offers to protect her, particularly those who do so
Gear: Halfspear, masterwork light crossbow, crossbow bolts without threats. She tends to panic at the sight of dragons,
(10), potion of blur, vest of many hands†, wand of magic even small ones, and doesn’t know enough about the world
missiles (3rd-level caster, 14 charges), 233 gp outside her old mistress’ lair to easily tell the difference
PC Gear: Potions of cure light wounds and sneaking between an actual dragon or wyvern and a big lizard or
snake. Unlike most kobolds, she is not a coward and never
evish was born into a large tribe of kobolds serving a fears a fight (except in the case of fighting something she

K very old blue dragon. In the past the dragon had


mated with some of her slaves to produce powerful
half-dragon leaders, but as she got older and her eggs
thinks is a dragon). She does still share the typical kobold
tendency toward cruelty. For instance, she likes to purchase
or capture live food, then torture it for a while before eat-
became less fertile she stopped this practice, and the original ing it. (She has earned her keep at several human inns by
half-dragons died out. Her blood ran in the veins of their hunting rats, although she was not allowed to eat in front
descendants, though, and after a few generations (less than of the customers.)
a hundred years) all the kobolds shared her as an ancestor.
Eventually almost all of the tribe had some minor sorcerer Uses
ability, even if it was only the power to cast a couple of Kevish can serve as leader of a small tribe of kobolds, a lieu-
cantrips. Kevish was one of the lucky ones, with true power tenant in a larger kobold force, or an agent of a dragon more
in her blood, and the dragon hoped that Kevish would take a tolerant of her shortcomings than her original mistress. She
position of leadership in the tribe and become a very valu- makes a good lackey or apprentice for a more powerful spell-
able slave. caster, particularly a reptilian one such as a lizardfolk druid
Unfortunately, or sorcerer or even a yuan-ti (assuming it convinces her it’s
the little kobold not a dragon, of course). As a player character, Kevish makes
had the attention an ideal “savage spellcaster” with preconceived notions of
span of a rabbit, how the world works and a lot of quirks.
the common
sense of a cow, Tactics
and the will to Kevish understands that her people are inherently physical-
lead of a sheep. ly weak, so she doesn’t take undue risks. She prefers to
The dragon very enter combat with a color spray spell to disable as many foes
quickly became as possible, giving her allies time to kill the downed oppo-
fed up with her. nents. In an extended battle she likes to fire her crossbow
Kevish wasn’t from the rear of the group, alternating firing and casting
stupid, however; lesser invisibility every round to make it harder for enemies to
she realized the find her. She may also use spider climb to reach a ledge or
dragon’s wrath other high point where foes can’t reach her in melee, and
would fall upon shoot from there.
her soon, so the
14 Skreyn’s Register: The Bonds of Magic

Leg- to puzzle out the mage’s script, but once he understood it


he attacked it with zeal, and soon was casting a few minor
Breaker spells on his own. Gaush eventually learned how to cast all
Gaush the spells in the wizard’s spellbook and, without realizing it,
he became a transmuter like its original owner. (As the
spellbook contains very little information on conjuration
magic, Gaush has no experience with it. He would consider
any conjuration scrolls or wands he found simply “broken,”
not attribute the failure to anything within himself.) Gaush
went on to develop his own spell to facilitate raids by his
fellows, and the group has become very successful. Gaush
rightly claims much of the status of these victories and has
earned a reputation among the other bugbear clans for his
rare skill with arcane magic. He has met Brul the Tongue
(see page 4) on the battlefield but doesn’t think much of the
orc’s abilities.

Leg-Breaker Gaush: Male bugbear Tra5; CR 7; Equiv. Lvl. 9; Personality


Medium humanoid (goblinoid); HD 3d8+6, 5d4+10; hp 41; Gaush appears as aggressive and greedy as any other bugbear,
Init +3; Speed 30 feet; AC 19 (touch 14, flat-footed 16); although unlike most spellcasters he tends to strike out with
Base Attack +4; Grapple +5; Attack/Full Attack +5 melee weapons first rather than spells (old habits die hard). He
(1d8+1, morningstar) or +7 ranged (1d6+1, javelin); SQ prefers magic treasure to collecting weapons, armor, and other
Darkvision, prohibited schools (conjuration, necromancy); metallic shiny things. Cruel and mean, Gaush earned his nick-
AL CE; SV Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +7; Str 12, Dex 16, Con 14, name from his habit of breaking the legs of any live prey cap-
Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 8 tured before throwing it into the stew pot, claiming it enhanced
Skills and Feats: Concentration +10, Hide +5, Knowledge the flavor. He knows he will never be the biggest and meanest
(arcana) +8, Listen +4, Move Silently +9, Spellcraft +11, in his clan, so he accepts a lesser but still valuable role and
Spot +6; Alertness, Armor Proficiency (Light), Combat makes sure the common bugbears don’t forget his station. He’s
Expertise, Craft Wand, Scribe Scroll, Shield Proficiency a team player and prefers to use his spells to enhance his allies
Wizard Spells Prepared: (5/5/4/3; base DC = 13 + spell level; 15 rather than using them on himself and fighting in person.
percent chance of spell failure): 0—dancing lights, detect However, he isn’t above borrowing some armor and participat-
magic, mage hand, mending, read magic; 1st—burning hands ing in an ambush just like in the old days—except that now he
(2), magic weapon, shield, true strike; 2nd—bull’s strength, does so with the added power of his precast spells.
invisibility (2), protection from arrows; 3rd—fireball (2), slow
Spellbook: 0—arcane mark, dancing lights, daze, detect magic, Uses
detect poison, flare, ghost sound, light, mage hand, mending, Gaush can be used as a lieutenant in a large bugbear gang,
read magic, 1st—burning hands, endure elements, expeditious or a leader in a smaller one. If the leader of his gang turns
retreat, magic weapon, shield, spider climb, true strike; 2nd— against him or becomes suspicious of arcane magic, a party
bull’s strength, cat’s grace, Gaush’s mighty scout†, invisibility, may find him wandering in search of a new lair. Given his
protection from arrows; 3rd—fireball, slow power, he could easily come to dominate a tribe of goblins or
Gear: Large steel shield, morningstar, javelins (2), bracers of hobgoblins and enhance their raiders with his magic. As a
armor +2, ring of protection +1, amulet of health +2, wand of player character, Gaush could be looking for greater opportu-
endure elements (24 charges), wand of magic weapon (33 nities for treasure and magic. He might sign up with some
charges, caster level 5), wand of spider climb (13 charges), wand less-than-discriminating adventurers or agree to work as a
of Gaush’s mighty scout† (16 charges, caster level 5th), 245 gp translator or guide in goblinoid lands.
PC Gear: Cloak of resistance +1; upgrades: amulet to +4, bracers
to +3, ring to +2. Tactics
Gaush doesn’t wear armor, as he doesn’t like it interfering
aush was always particularly smart for a bugbear, with his spells. He carries a shield on his back and brings it

G and when his band slew a group of young adventur-


ers, he picked up the wizard’s spellbook out of
curiosity. At first intrigued by its pictures and diagrams, he
out only after he casts all the spells he wanted to use in the
battle. He normally uses his magic on himself and his allies.
He treasures casting his fireball and has worked hard to
kept examining the book in his free time. It took him a year teach his gang to not rush in until after he casts it.
Vol. 1: Cabal
15
Mergmorni safe, and as such she developed close friendships with many
dwarves in her community. Unfortunately, new mining tun-
Mergmorni: Female dwarf Sor9; CR 9; Medium humanoid nels broke through into a series of caves controlled by derro,
(dwarf); HD 9d4+9; hp 31; Init +1; Speed 20 feet; AC 13 and a vicious war started between Mergmorni’s people and
(touch 12, flat-footed 12); Base Attack +4; Grapple +6; the evil dwarf degenerate crossbreeds.
Attack/Full Attack +7 melee (1d4+3, +1 light hammer) or +6 While she was on a mission to ambush derro patrols, her
ranged (1d4+2, masterwork light hammer); SQ Dwarf city was attacked by derro forces backed up by a stone golem
traits; AL LN; SV Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +5; Str 14, Dex 12, they had managed to activate and control, and most of her
Con 12, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 13 clan was wiped out. Returning from a dangerous battle of
Skills and Feats: Concentration +13, Craft (metalworking) +3, their own, the survivors of Mergmorni’s squadron came
Craft (stoneworking) +10, Knowledge (arcana) +8, upon the bodies of their dead. Knowing they were hopelessly
Spellcraft +11; Lightning Reflexes, Martial Weapon outnumbered, the remaining dwarves chose to salvage what
Proficiency (light hammer), Point Blank Shot, Power Attack they could, bury their fallen comrades in a great tomb, and
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/7/6/6/4; base DC = 11 + spell level): relocate to a new home. Mergmorni stayed. After the others
0—dancing lights, daze, detect magic, disrupt undead, mage had gone, she brought out a wand of forbidden magic she
hand, mending, open/close, ray of frost; 1st—animate rope, had taken off a slain derro savant and began animating her
burning hands, grease, magic weapon, shield; 2nd—bull’s dead clanfolk as zombies, hoping to build an army to attack
strength, locate object, Mel’s acid arrow, necrophage†; the derro town. She now spends most of her time going
3rd—dispel magic, protection from energy, vampiric touch; between her fallen clanhome and places on the surface where
4th—shout, stoneskin she hopes to find more magic items suitable for her purpose.
Gear: +1 light hammer, masterwork light hammer, amulet of
natural armor +1, 500 gp worth of diamond dust (material Personality
components for stoneskin), floating skull (as dull gray ioun Obsessed with killing the derro who destroyed her clan,
stone), bracelet of protection +1 (as ring), wand of animate Mergmorni seems on the border of madness. Before the
dead (11 charges, one body per charge), stone golembane massacre, she was a friendly dwarf interested in magic,
scarab, potion of cure moderate wounds, 348 gp stonework, and metalcraft, happy to exchange a tale or share
PC Gear: Cloak of resistance +2, ring of counterspells; upgrades: a drink with another dwarf. Now her desire for revenge has
amulet to +2, bracelet to +2, magic hammer to +1 light driven out most other feelings and much of her common
returning hammer sense. She spends the majority of her time among the
undead of her city.
ergmorni is the first dwarf in her clan to develop

M sorcerous powers. Although wizardry was known


to them, and a few dwarves in their history had
dabbled in arcane magic, the natural sort of magic she evi-
Uses
If pushed to true madness, Mergmorni can become a weird
villain, using her undead servants to attack any “derro” that
denced was new and unusual to them. After receiving the enter her city. PCs may also encounter her leading a
proper blessings from the dwarven gods, they allowed her to squadron of dwarven undead through the tunnels in search
nurture her abilities, and she found within herself a pen- of derro—she might join up with adventurers if they con-
chant for defensive magic and other useful spells suitable to vince her that the two groups have a common purpose. She
life in a dwarven city. She was sent on armed patrols to help can also become a customer for some of the heroes’ less
keep the territory’s perimeter savory magic items; in this case, give her access to secret
caches of dwarven gold to use to buy them. As a play-
er character, ignore the undead angle and
send Mergmorni in search of mercenaries,
adventurers, or friendly dwarves willing
to start a crusade against the derro city.

Tactics
Mergmorni uses grease and shout to break enemy
formations and dispel magic to disrupt enemy
spellcasters. With bull’s strength and stoneskin cast
and a vampiric touch on her off hand, she is ready
to enter melee combat.
16 Skreyn’s Register: The Bonds of Magic

Nosgrundanga Personality
Despite her expeditions outside her home city, Nosgrun-
Nosgrundanga: Female dwarf Div5; CR 5; Medium humanoid danga knows little about interacting with people, having
(dwarf); HD 5d4; hp 12; Init +0; Speed 20 feet; AC 11 spent most of her time in libraries and vaults poring over
(touch 10, flat-footed 11); Base Attack +2; Grapple +3; old books or listening to lectures. A handsome and person-
Attack/Full Attack +3 melee (1d4+1/19–20, dagger) or +2 able dwarf, she has the bad habit of talking down to her
ranged (1d4/19–20, dagger); SQ Dwarf traits, prohibited intellectual inferiors and speaks at length about strange
school (necromancy); AL LN; SV Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +8; Str topics of little interest to common folk or even adventurers.
13, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 10 Conservative in her views, she does not take to radical acts,
Skills and Feats: Concentration +8, Craft (metalworking) +5, preferring radical thinking and radical research to reckless
Craft (stoneworking) +5, Knowledge (arcana) +7, behavior. She has been known to chastise a dwarf barbarian
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) +7, Knowledge coming out of a rage, and she doesn’t understand the point
(history) +6, Knowledge (local) +6, Knowledge (nobility of gambling at all.
and royalty) +6, Knowledge (the planes) +5, Knowledge
(religion) +5, Listen +4, Spellcraft +8, Spot +4; Alertness, Uses
Brew Potion, Iron Will, Scribe Scroll Nosgrundanga makes an excellent sage or mentor for
Wizard Spells Prepared: (5/5/4/3; base DC = 13 + spell level): low-level characters—perhaps as a teacher of divination
0—dancing lights, detect poison, light, mage hand, mending; at a wizard academy. She might be found anywhere, as
1st—comprehend languages, magic missile (2), Ten’s floating long as there is access to a library or the hint of old docu-
disk, true strike; 2nd—blindness/deafness, detect thoughts, ments on a lost dwarven settlement. Nosgrundanga has
locate object, Mel’s acid arrow; 3rd—clairaudience/ been known to spend a week with human smiths teach-
clairvoyance, hold person (2) ing them to better work their metal. In a pinch, adventur-
Spellbook: 0—arcane mark, dancing lights, daze, detect magic, ers can hire her to identify magic items. As a player char-
detect poison, flare, ghost sound, light, mage hand, mending, acter, she might go adventuring in search of the things
open/close, prestidigitation, 1st—comprehend languages, crea- described above or simply to follow someone she thinks
ture loresight‡‡, endure elements, identify, magic missile, object has interesting firsthand knowledge of a topic she wishes
loresight‡‡, Ten’s floating disk, true strike; 2nd—blindness/ to learn about.
deafness, detect thoughts, glitterdust, locate object, Mel’s acid
arrow; 3rd—clairaudience/clairvoyance, hold person Tactics
Gear: Dagger, divining bones†, vest of armor +1 (as bracers), mortar- Nosgrundanga prefers to remain out of melee unless she
stone†, scroll of arcane eye, potions of endure elements (fire), has had time to prepare a good strategy for the situation.
endure elements (acid), and detect thoughts; 223 gp If going into a place where she knows she will
PC Gear: Cloak of resistance +1, scroll of charm monster; have to fight (such as a dungeon), she pre-
upgrade: vest to +2 pares many acid arrow, clairvoyance, and
true strike spells, using the latter to
orn of two clerics of the dwarven god of invention make precise, controlled attacks,

B and discovery, Nosgrundanga grew up in a large and


protected city under the guidance of educated and
conservative parents. Members of the upper class, her par-
especially to disrupt enemy
spellcasters.

ents came from families with a long history of success and


respect, and raised her anticipating more of the same. She
surprised them somewhat when she took to arcane studies
instead of the clergy, but she quickly proved useful with her
ability to sort through fragments of lore to find material they
could apply to the modern day.
Although the insular dwarves in her city desired little con-
tact with the outside world, she felt the need to visit sages,
wizards,and learned folk outside the sheltered confines of
her stone home,so she has made several sojourns to the
outer world in search of knowledge.In recent years she
has delved into temple archives and grown very learned
about the dwarven pantheon and the interaction of
the planes with celestial and fiendish creatures.
Vol. 1: Cabal
17
Orvin
Orvin: Male human Cjr 8; CR 8; Medium humanoid (human);
HD hp 44; Init +1; Speed 30 feet; AC 13 (touch 12, flat-
footed 12); Base Attack +4; Grapple +4; Attack/Full Attack +5
melee (1d4/19–20, masterwork dagger); SQ Empathic link
with familiar, prohibited schools (enchantment, evocation),
quasit familiar, share spells with familiar, touch spells (via
familiar); AL CE; SV Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +7; Str 10, Dex 12,
Con 16, Int 15, Wis 13, Cha 8
Skills and Feats: Concentration +11, Craft (alchemy) +11, Heal +5,
Jump +10, Knowledge (arcana) +6, Knowledge (nature) +8,
Listen +3, Search +5, Spellcraft +8, Spot +7; Alertness,
Brew Potion, Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Quasit
Familiar, Scribe Scroll
Wizard Spells Prepared: (5/6/5/4/3; base DC = 12 + spell level):
0—arcane mark, detect magic, detect poison, disrupt undead,
mage hand; 1st—chill touch, detect undead, endure elements,
grease, mage armor, obscuring mist; 2nd—darkvision, ghoul
touch (2), Mel’s acid arrow, summon monster II; 3rd—gaseous
form, halt undead, stinking cloud, vampiric touch; 4th—black
slime†, minor creation, polymorph sewage give him a horrible smell that ought to attract
Spellbook: 0—arcane mark, detect magic, detect poison, otyughs for miles around. Even his more mundane spells
disrupt undead, ghost sound, mage hand, mending, open/close, (such as grease, mage armor, and obscuring mist) tend to smell
prestidigitation, ray of frost, read magic; 1st—chill touch, detect pungent, and when people complain he only grins. This
undead, endure elements, grease, mage armor, obscuring mist, warped individual actually loves being filthy and obsesses
spider climb; 2nd—darkvision, ghoul touch, invisibility, Mel’s over creatures that live in or on offal. He doesn’t take kindly
acid arrow, summon monster II, web; 3rd—gaseous form, halt to attempts to clean him, and anyone who tries would be
undead, protection from energy, slow, stinking cloud, vampiric subject to several minor diseases that he probably carries.
touch; 4th—black slime†, dimension door, minor creation,
polymorph Uses
Gear: Masterwork dagger, ring of protection +1, ring of warmth, Orvin is a good villain that even the most reticent heroes
boots of the winterlands, robe of armor +1 (as bracers), potions won’t be afraid to dispose of. He can serve as an ally of a rat
of neutralize poison, spider climb, invisibility, protection from cult (or any similarly secluded group that lives in sewers), the
energy (acid), and protection from energy (electricity); 298 gp tender of the moat-otyugh in an evil lord’s castle, or the man
PC Gear: Amulet of natural armor +2, potion of protection from responsible for unleashing oozes into an orphanage or green
energy (fire), scroll of cloudkill; upgrade: robe to +3 slime into a city’s water supply. As a player character, Orvin
works well as a hermit or exile coming out of isolation. In this
rvin’s birthplace is unknown, although he speaks with scenario, his problems stem from culture shock and igno-

O the accent of someone native to the colder lands. He


has been found skulking about in the cesspools and
sewers of several large cities, collecting samples of disgusting
rance of civilized behavior rather than deliberate vileness.

Tactics
material and looking out for exotic slimes and oozes he can Orvin prefers to remain out of melee combat at all costs,
bring to his druid friend Umbrus. (His description appears although if confronted in melee he might try to grapple an
in Vol. 2: The Faithful.) Orvin has been in and out of favor opponent just to cause revulsion. He prefers to use ranged
with various thieves’ guilds for, while he knows the ins and spells such as grease, acid arrow, and stinking cloud to harry
outs of every major sewer (which guild members sometimes enemies at a distance, or use his quasit familiar to transmit
use to sneak about), he has a bad habit of deliberately infect- touch spells like chill touch, vampiric touch, and (his favorite)
ing guild members with small oozes to observe the results. black slime (see page 30). Just for the sake of annoying pal-
adins and good clerics, he likes to use summon monster II to
Personality conjure a lemure, which he considers the ideal summoned
Orvin is a thoroughly disgusting individual. His complete monster.
lack of bathing and frequent wadings through pools of

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